Locking device

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a combination lock which is actuated by two sets of numbered keys. Contained within the lock is a tape which is pre-punched with a succession of randomly generated codes. The lock can be actuated only when the keys punched by the user correspond with the code on the punched tape. Each actuation of the lock advances the tape to establish a new code.

[451 May 23, 1972 United States Patent Hanson [54] LOCKING DEVICE [72]Inventor:

Walter J. Hanson, Old Greenwich, Conn.

Pitney-Bowes, Inc., Stanford, Conn.

Dec. 17, 1970 [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 98,999 Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr.

' Attomey-William D. Soltow, .lr., Albert W. Scribner, Martin D.Wittstein and Louis A. Tirelli m c 7 w 5 e n Em fi man Ba ME 9 2 5 1 7 62 .26 m 3 s8 /6001 u. 0 2 "n W mm 2-02 m a BMJm mm 0 "u m m mm nl A n 5"0 wk N. 1 7 C n B m m 5 m .m m8 m E ma m A 4 m m r T rm 1 H .m S ea B mm m D vK .m M NE E ho n c7 4 Q N i we U 1 in m d Ld 59 n 91. I 1.] 1. MW3% 6,9, [.l 22

ABSTRACT There is disclosed a combination lock which is actuated by twosets of numbered keys. Contained within the lock is a tape which ispre-punched with a succession of randomly generated codes. The lock canbe actuated only when the keys punched by the user correspond with thecode on the punched tape. Each actuation of the lock advances the tapeto establish a 22 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEBMAY 23 I972 SHEET 1[IF PfxTENTEDMM 23 1972 SHEET 2 BF 8 INVENTOR. WALTER J. HANSONPATENTEUMM 23 I972 SHEET 3 BF 8 INVENTOR. WALTER .J. HANSONPATEF-1TEU'MAY23 19-12 3 664, 2 31 sum 4 OF 8 INVENTOR. WALTER J. HANSONwww WW \ww ATTORNEY PATENTEDHAY 23 1972 SHEET 5 [1F 8 465 %64 1501; 1&9

PATENT ED MAY 2 3 I972 SHEEI 8 BF 8 mm m1) MHWHHHHHI INVENTOR. WALTER J.HANSON i the following description and appended claims.

1 LOCKING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a number ofapplications in which it would be desirable to have a combination lockwhich would automatically change its combination upon each actuation.One such application is in postage meters. At the present time, when thepostage value of a meter has been used, it is necessary to physicallycarry it to a post office where the meter is reset to the correctamount. This could be avoided if the postage meter included acombination lock whose combination changed upon each usage. This wouldmake it possible, for example, to mail a check or otherwise provide forthe proper credit and then obtain by telephone the combination requiredto actuate the lock and reset the meter by a predetermined amount. Thecombination would then change and the succeeding combination would beavailable only after another unit of postage has been paid for.

Locks with automatically changing combinations have been proposed in thepast. One, for example, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,329 whichissued May l5, I962 to R. C. Pitney et al. Locks of that nature,although important advances over the state of the art, retain certaindisadvantages which it would be desirable to overcome. For example, thecombination of such a lock is determined by the mechanical elements ofthe lock itself. This makes it difficult to alter the combinationsequences. It also requires rather complex mechanical elements, causingthe lock to be larger and more expensive than would be desirable.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved combination lock'of simple construction which can be easilymass produced. Other objects are to provvide such a lock wherein thesequence of combinations is established by punched tape which is easilyreplaced. Other objects, features, and advantages will become apparentfrom SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present inventionthere is provided a combination lock including an actuating member whichcan be unlocked upon entry of the correct combination therein. The lockincludes combination determining means selectively positionable in thelock and defining apertures representing elements of a preselectedcombination. A plurality of sensing means are individually advanceableagainst the combination determining means and are positioned to enterany aperture which is aligned therewith. The lock includes a pluralityof manual selection means, each of which corresponds to one of thesensing means and is independently movable to represent elements of aselected combination. A linkage interconnects each of the selectionmeans and its corresponding sensing means and is adapted to assume aclearing position when an element of the selected combinationcorresponds to an element of the preselected combination and a blockingposition in the absence of such correspondence. Means are provided fornormally blocking the actuating member but releasing it when all of thelinkage means are in their clearing positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view on areduced scale of a postage meter incorporating a combination lock inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the combination lock of this invention with aportion of the housing broken away to illustrate its internalconstruction;

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section on an enlarged scale taken substantially alongline 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross section on an enlarged scale taken substantially alongline 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross section on an enlarged scale taken substantially alongthe line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG.3;

FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of the tape advance mechanism of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sensing gate mechanism of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the release bar mechanism of theinvention;

FIG. 11 is a cross section taken substantially along the line 1lllofFIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is an illustration depicting the manner in which an impropercombination keeps the lock in its locked position;

FIG. 13 illustrates the manner in which a proper combination unlocks thelock;

FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating the various steps in operation ofthe lock of the invention; and

FIG. 15 is an elevational view illustrating a modified version of thegate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT There is illustrated in FIG. 1 apostage meter M to which is secured the combination lock L of thisinvention. Mounted on the side of lockLis an input knob 10. This knobwhen rotated sets into the meter M a preselected amount of postage. Thelock, however, permits turning of the knob only when a correctcombination is selected. Positioned on the top of lock L are two sets12, 14 of numbered buttons. The buttons of each set carry the digits I-9and the two sets may be differentiated by color. For example, buttons 12may be white and buttons 14 red.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the lock will be seen to comprise an innerside frame 16 and an outer side frame 18 connected together in spacedparallel relationship by means of conventional boIt-nut-spacerassemblies 20. Also mounted to these assemblies is back plate 22 andhousing 24. Extending between the side frames 16, 18 is a top plate 26which is parallel to and spaced below the top of the housing. Parallelto, and spaced below, the top plate 26 is a guide plate 28. The topplate 26 and guide plate 28 each defines a total of 18 slots. Theseslots are aligned to retain therein the key stems of the button sets 12,14 as will now be described.

Button sets 12 and 14 are substantially identical. Each comprises atotal of 9 key stems, 121-129 and 141-149. Each key stem is topped by asuitable button 120, 140. Only two types of key stems are required forall the eighteen keys. Those keys which form the center row of each set,namely, I22, 125, 128 and 142, 145, 148 are straight and their lowerends are positioned directly beneath the corresponding buttons as shownin FIG. 3. The key stems of those keys forming the outside rows ofeachset, namely, 121, 123, 124, 126, 127, 129, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 have theirlower extremities cut at an angle in order that the bottom ends of allkeys in each set are aligned as shown in FIG. 3. All the angled keystems are identical. Each key stem is stamped to form a central tongue30 having a detent 32 therein (FIG. 6) which coacts with the top plate26 to retain a key either in a raised or lowered position.

The lower end of each key stem carries a pivot 34. Supported by thepivots 34 on the stems of key set 12 is a set 36 of tumbler levers. Theindividual tumbler levers 361-369 correspond respectively to the keystems 121-129. A similar set 38 of tumbler levers are mounted on thepivots 34 of the stems of key set 14. The individual tumbler levers381-389 correspond respectively to the key stems 141-149. The tumblerlevers are identical although reversed in each set. Their constructionis best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13. They are elongated and pivoted atapproximately their center points. At their inner ends, each lever isformed with an offset T head 40.

A pair of shafts 42, 44 extend horizontally between the inner and outerside frames. Pivotally mounted on shaft 42 is a set 46 of sensingmembers 461-469. A similar set 48 of sensing members 481-489 is mountedon shaft 44. The sensing members override a plate 50 which is slotted torestrain them to vertical movement only. The sensing members areidentical although the two sets are reversed. The construction of thesensing members is most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 whichportray members 468, 488. Each member includes an elongated inwardlyextending body portion which terminates in a downwardly dependentsensing finger 52. An upwardly extending portion of the member defines ahorizontal slot 54 which loosely engages the offset T 40 of itscorresponding tumbler lever. Below the slotted portion of each sensingmember is a shoulder 56. The opposite ends of the sensing members extendbeyond the pivot and are provided with a horizontal lever arm 58 and avertical lever arm 60. Each of lever arms 58 of sensing member set 46 isengaged by a horizontal leaf spring 62. Each vertical lever arm 60 ofthe sensing member set 48 is engaged by a vertical leaf spring 64. Theseleaf springs bias the corresponding sensing members causing sensingfingers 52 to be urged downwardly through an opening 66 in plate 50.Positioned directly below the opening 66 is a punched computer tape 68supported by a tape support plate 70 defining two parallel rows of 9holes 72 (FIG. 7) aligned with sensing fingers 52.

The knob on the side of the lock is secured to the end of a combinationdrive and cam shaft 74. The shaft 74 extends through the lock to actuatea meter input mechanism 76. Mounted upon shaft 74 are a plurality ofcams and other elements which will now be described.

Mounted on shaft 74 on the outside of side frames 16, 18 are a pair ofidentical sense release cams 78a, b. These cams control the verticalposition ofa sense release bar 80 which extends through suitableopenings in the side frames and lies below shoulders 56 of the sensingmembers forming sensing member sets 46 and 48. As will be more apparentfrom FIG. 10, the bar 80 is supported between parallel arms 82a, b whichare pivoted on shaft 42 and include cam follower portions 84a, h. Thecams 78a, 78b define circular raised portions extending approximately203, the remaining circumference of the cam being relieved. When the camfollowers are contacting the raised portion of the cams, the senserelease bar 80 is raised to the position shown in FIG. 3 thereby liftingthe sensing members of sets 46, 48. When the cam is rotated until therelief portions are beneath the cam followers, the bar is lowered to thepositions shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Also mounted on shaft 74 is lock release cam 86 (FIG. 9). The camcontrols the movements of a pair of gates 88, 90, each defining a window880, 90a therein. The gates are respectively pivotable about shafts 44,42 and are joined by a cross link 92 connected above the pivot point ofgate 88 and below the pivot point of gate 90. A coil spring 94 biasesthe gates inwardly but they are retained in a normally upright positionby means of a cam follower 96 which bears against the circular portionof cam 86.

Also mounted on shaft 74 is a dead lock cam 98. This cam is providedwith a radial projection 98a which, as shown in FIG. 12, engages gate 90when rotated counterclockwise with the gate in its raised position. Asshown in FIG. 13, projection 98a clears the gate when the gate isrotated inwardly.

The tape drive is controlled by a pair of conjugate cams 100a, l00bmounted on shaft 74 (FIG. 8). The cams are engaged by cam followers1020, 102b on an escapement pawl I04 rotatably mounted on shaft 42. Theopposite end of the cscapement pawl engages a four toothed ratchet 106.This ratchet, in turn, is secured to a shaft 108 controlling a toothedfeed roller 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth of feed roller110 are at its ends and the tape 68 is of the type having sprocket holesalong its two edges. This, however, is not a critical feature of theinvention and a tape utilizing a single sprocket drive could be employedif desired. The tape 68 which passes over the feed roller is removedfrom a supply roll 112 (FIG. 3) rotatably mounted on a shaft 114. Fromthe feed roller the tape passes through the spaces defined between plate50 and support plate 70 and over an idler 116 rotatably mounted on shaft118. From idler 116 the tape 68 passes over a torque roller assembly 150which maintains the tape under tension in a manner to be described.

The construction of the torque roller assembly will be most apparentfrom a consideration of FIGS. 5 and 11. From these figures, it will benoted that a shaft 152 extends between side frames l6, l8 and is securedat its right end (as viewed in FIG. 5) to the hub 154 of a pulley 156.Pulley 156 is driven via a coil spring drive belt 158 from a drivepulley 160 mounted on shaft 74.

Rotatably mounted on shaft 152 between side frames 16, 18 is a roller162 and end cap'164. These two elements form a take-up spool for thetape 68. The space within the roller houses a torsion spring 166 which,in its relaxed state, has an internal diameter larger than the externaldiameter of shaft 152. The left end 1660 of the torsion spring issecured to shaft 152 by capturing it in a diametrical slot as shown inFIG. 11. The right end l66b is engaged in a slot 168 in roller 162.

The lock 'of this invention also includes a key reset mechanism which isbest illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. It includes a hand actuated reset bar170 extending across the top surface of the lock and including a pair ofspaced arms 170a, 17% which are pivoted to the side frames by stubshafts 172. The inner ends of the arms are bifurcated and engage pins174a, b mounted in identical Y-shaped side members 176a, b. The pins174a, b also extend through guide slots 178 in the side frames andadditional slots 180 in the side members are guided by fixed studs 182.Extending between the side members 176a, b and across the width of thelock below the pivots 34 on the lower ends of the key stems are resetbars 184, 186. The lock of this invention is also designed to clear thekeyboard automatically on completion of a cycle. For this purpose, thereis mounted on the end of shaft 74, as seen in FIG. 3, a clearing cam188. This cam has opposed high lobe portions 190, 192 terminating atradial shoulders 194, 196. A stub shaft 198 on side frame 18 rotatablysupports a clearing lever 200. The lever is biased in a counterclockwisedirection by means of a coil spring 202. The left end of the lever isbifurcated and engages pin 174a. At its right end the lever carries apair of cam followers in the form of two offset ears 204, 206 which areangularly separated by an amount slightly less than the angle betweenshoulders 194, 196.

OPERATION The combination required to operate the lock of this inventionis established by a prepunched paper tape 68. Each combination comprisestwo series of four digits each. Preferably, these are randomly selectedby a computer which punches the tape and stores the sequence ofcombinations in its memory. The lock can be operated only when theproper four keys in each bank are depressed. If an improper key isdepressed, or if a key is not depressed when it should be, the lockcannot be operated. The means by which this result is achieved are shownin FIGS. 12 and 13 which illustrate only the 8 key in each bank. Allother keys function in an identical manner.

In order to initiate sensing, the sense release bar 80 is lowered,thereby freeing sensing members 468, 488 as well as all other sensingmembers. In the illustration the number "8" appears in the combinationfor the righthand set of keys, but not in the combination for thelefthand set of keys. FIG. 12 illustrates two improper key settings. Key120, which should be depressed, has not been and key 140, which shouldnot be depressed, has been. Each of these key positions establishes thevertical position of the corresponding pivot 34. However, sensing finger52 of sensing member 468 has passed through the opening in tape 68,lowering the left end of tumbler lever 368. The right end of tumblerlever 368 is therefore positioned above the window in gate 90.

On the left side of the figure, it will be noted that, as no hole existsin the punched tape 68, sensing finger 52 is in a raised position, as isthe righthand end of tumbler lever 388. This brings the lefthand end oftumbler lever 388 to a position below the window in gate 88. The gatesat this point have been released, as cam 86 has been moved away from camfollower 96, and spring 94 (FIG. 9) tends to bias the gates inwardly.However, they are unable to move substantially due to the imposition ofthe tumbler levers. In this position, rotation of shaft 74 is stopped byvirtue of deadlock cam 98 engaging the top of gate 90. As the gates areinterconnected by cross link 92, only one key out of 18 needs to beimproperly positioned to prevent operation of the lock.

FIG. 13 illustrates operation of the lock by proper adjustment of thekeys. Here it will be noted that key 120 has been depressed, loweringpivot 34 and the righthand end of tumbler lever 368 so as to clear gate90. Similarly, the lefthand key 140 has not been depressed, leaving thepivot point 34 raised and allowing the left end of tumbler lever 388 toclear gate 88. In this position, therefore, the gates are permitted tomove inwardly as illustrated, clearing deadlock cam 98 and permittingrotation of shaft 74.

The tape control system is best described by reference to FIGS. 5, 7, 8and 11. Drive pulley 160 on shaft 74 drives pulley 156 on shaft 152through the action of the coil spring drive 158. As shaft 152 is notsecured to the roller 162 or its end cap 164, it will wind down thetorsion spring 166 against the pull of the tape until the inner diameterof the torsion spring is reduced to shaft size. Under this condition, itstores a fixed torque value. In actual practice, these elements aresized so that, with the roller fixed, approximately three turns arerequired to reach this condition. The torque which is delivered by thespring belt 158 must slightly exceed the stored spring torque.Thereafter, the belt 158 will slip in the pulleys. Referring now to FIG.3, it will be noted that the torque roller assembly 150 just describedwill exert a pull on tape 68, keeping it under tension against therestraining force of the sprocketed feed roller 110. Movement of thetape for changing from one combination to the succeeding combinationupon each actuation of the lock is provided by the escapement mechanismshown in FIG. 8. As the conjugate cams 100a, 10% are rotated, they causethe escapement pawl 104 to rock about shaft 42 in a clockwise direction.The upper lobe of the pawl releases the upper tooth of ratchet 106causing it to rotate 45 in a clockwise direction under the tension ofthe tape. The 45 motion is a result of the righthand tooth of ratchet106 contacting the lower lobe of the pawl. When the pawl then returns tothe position illustrated in FIG. 8, a full 90 rotation of ratchet I06and feed roller 110 results. The tape is punched in such a manner thatthe twin rows of combination-defining holes are separated by distancesequal to one-fourth the circuml'ercnce of the feed roller so that theyare properly aligned beneath the sensing fingers for the next operationof the lock. Each tape advance is immediately taken up by the storedtorque in the roller assembly and the continuing torsional effort of thefelt drive recharges the spring.

As the tape 68 accumulates on roller 162, its diameter increases,resulting in decreasing tape tension due to the fact that the torque isrelatively fixed. Accordingly, the percentage of slip of the belt 158increases proportionately. For this reason, the torque values areestablished to provide a suitable range of tape tension safely below thetensile strength of the tape at start up but sufiicient to assurereliable escapement function at minimum tension. These values, however,are easily ascertainable by one skilled in the art and need not be setforth in detail.

The overall operation of the lock of this invention can best bedescribed by reference to the timing chart, FIG. 14. The

horizontal scale of this chart is one rotation of shaft 74 through 360.It will be assumed that the combination has been correctly inserted bydepressing the proper four keys in each set. Knob I0 on the side ofthelock is then turned.

As rotation begins, the shoulder 194 of clearing cam 188 passes beneaththe ear 204 of clearing lever 200 (FIG. 3). This blocks manual operationof clearing bar 170 preventing the keys from being reset during thesensing portion of the cycle.

Next, cams 78a, 12 (FIG. 10) release arms 82, permitting the senserelease bar 80 to drop. The eighteen sensing members then drop to asensing position with their sensing fingers 52 either resting on thepaper tape or passing through a hole therein. This causes all tumblerlevers to be positioned to enter the respective windows of the movablegates as shown in FIG. 13.

Next, cam 86 releases the cam follower 96 and the gates, under theinfluence of spring 94, rotate inwardly, thereby clearing the deadlockcam 98 permitting continued rotation of shaft 74. After a short sensingperiod of less than of shaft rotation, cam 86 once more picks up camfollower 96 and retracts the gates to their initial positions.

Thereafter, at approximately 90, two cams come into action. Cams 78a, braise the sense release bar 80, once more lifting all 18 of the sensingmembers. Also, high lobe portion 190 of the clearing cam 188 engages ear206 of clearing lever 200, raising the side members 176a, b and resetbars 184, 186. The reset bars engage the lower ends of the key stems,raising all keys until they detent into their raised positions.

Thereafter, at approximately of rotation, the tape advance escapement ofFIG. 8 is actuated, permitting the tape to advance and align the nextcombination in proper position.

Immediately after deadlock cam clears gate 90, anti-reverse means (notshown) of any suitable type may be used to prevent reverse rotation ofshaft 70.

It is believed that the many advantages of this invention will now beapparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the lock isconstructed primarily of stamped metal parts, many of which areduplicates. This results in a lock which is inexpensive and can beeasily mass produced. Furthermore, since the combination is establishedby an easily changeable paper tape, all locks can be mechanicallyidentical and still have different combinations and sequences ofcombinations.

It will also be apparent that a number of variations and modificationscan be made in this invention without departing from its spirit andscope. The tape, for example, need not be of paper but may be of anysuitable material. Furthermore, the tape may be of chadless type,defining depressions rather than holes. For this reason, the termapefture as used in the following claims is to be construed as definingsuch depressions and their equivalents. Also a modified construction forthe gates 88 and 90 may be used as illustrated in FIG. 15 wherein theupper and lower portions of each gate window may be separated byintegral horizontal bar 90'.

The lock of this invention has been described primarily as an adjunct toa postage meter. However, it will be apparent that its applications arenot so limited but extend to any usage wherein its uniquecharacteristics would be of value.

For all these reasons, the foregoing description is to be construed asillustrative only, rather than limiting. This invention is limited onlyby the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

l. A combination lock adapted to be unlocked upon entry of the correctcombination therein which comprises: an actuating member; combinationdetermining means defining therein apertures representing elements of apreselected combination; a plurality of sensing means individuallyadvanceable against said combination determining means and positioned toenter any aperture aligned therewith; a plurality of manual selectionmeans, each corresponding to one of said sensing means and independentlymovable to represent elements of a selected combination; linkage meansintermediate each of said selection means and its corresponding sensingmeans and adapted to assume a clearing position upon correspondence ofan element of said selected combination to an element of saidpreselected combination and a blocking position in the absence of suchcorrespondence; and means for normally blocking said actuating memberbut releasing said actuating member when all of said linkage means arein their clearing positions.

2. The lock of claim 1 wherein said combination determining meanscomprises a tape.

3. The lock of claim 2 wherein said tape defines therein a plurality ofsets of apertures, each aperture set determining a different preselectedcombination.

4. The lock of claim 3 wherein said combination determining meanscomprises means for advancing said tape upon each actuation of saidactuating member to present a different aperture set to said sensingmeans.

5. The lock of claim 1 wherein said combination determining meanscomprises: a tape defining therein a plurality of sets of apertures,each determining a different preselected combination; means fortensioning said tape for advancement relative to said sensing means; andmeans for normally restraining such advancement but releasing said tapefor an incremental advance upon each actuation of said actuating memberto present a different aperture set to said sensing means.

6. The lock of claim 5 wherein said tensioning means comprises: a shaft;means for driving said shaft uponactuation of said actuating member; aroller secured to said tape and mounted on said shaft for rotationrelative thereto; and resilient means interconnecting said roller andshaft for storing a selected torque value therebetween.

7. The lock of claim 6 wherein said resilient means comprises a coilspring surrounding said shaft having its first end connected to saidshaft and its second end connected to said roller, the internal diameterof said spring in its relaxed condition being greater than the outsidediameter of said shaft.

8. The lock of claim 6 wherein said driving means comprises a belt andpulley drive connected to slip when said selected torque value isstored.

9. The lock of claim 1 wherein each of said manual selection meanscomprises a key stem longitudinally movable between a first and a secondposition.

10. The lock of claim 1 wherein each of said linkage means comprises atumbler lever having first and second ends, a first pivot pointtherebetween, and a second pivot point at said first end, one of saidpivot points being movable by said manual selection means and the otherof said pivot points being movable by said sensing means.

11. The lock of claim 10 wherein each of said manual selection meanscomprises a key stem connected to said first pivot point of a respectivetumbler lever.

12. The lock of claim 1 wherein each of said sensing means comprises: asubstantially planar .member having thereon a sensing finger adapted toenter an aperture aligned therewith; and means for resiliently urgingsaid finger into said aperture about an axis of rotation substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said member and spaced from said finger.

13. The lock of claim 12 wherein said axis of rotation is common to aplurality of said members.

14. The lock of claim 12 wherein each ofsaid linkage means comprises atumbler lever having first and second ends, a first pivot pointtherebetween, and a second pivot point at said first end, one of saidpivot points being movable by said manual selection means and the otherof said pivot points being movable by said sensing means.

15. The lock of claim 14 wherein each of said manual selection meanscomprises a key stem connected to said first pivot point of a respectivetumbler lever.

16. The lock of claim 10 wherein said actuating member is a rotatableshaft and said blocking means comprises: a gate movable between alocking position and an actuating position, said gate being retained insaid locking position by any of said tumbler levers in a blockingposition but movable to said actuating position when all of said tumblerlevers are in their clearing position; and a deadlock cam secured tosaid shaft positioned to engage said gate in its locking position toprevent rotation of said shaft and to pass said gate in its actuatingposition to permit rotation of said shaft.

17. The lock of claim 16 wherein each of said manual selection meanscomprises a key stem connected to said first pivot point of a respectivetumbler lever.

18. The lock of claim 17 wherein each of said sensing means comprises: asubstantially planar member having thereon a sensing finger adapted toenter an aperture aligned therewith; and means for resiliently urgingsaid finger into said aperture about an axis of rotation substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said member and spaced from said fin er.

19. A combination lock adapted to be unloc ed upon entry of the correctcombination therein which comprises: a tape defining therein a pluralityof sets of apertures, each determining a different preselectedcombination; a plurality of sensing means individually advanceableagainst said tape and positioned to enter any aperture alignedtherewith; means for tensioning said tape for advancement relative tosaid sensing means; a plurality of manual selection means, eachcorresponding to one of said sensing means and independently movable torepresent elements of a selected combination; a plurality of tumblerlevers, each having first and second ends, a first pivot pointtherebetween, and a second pivot point at said first end, one of saidpivot points being movable by one of said manual selection means and theother of said pivot points being movable by one of said sensing means,each tumbler lever assuming a clearing position upon correspondence ofan element of said selected combination to an element of saidpreselected combination and a blocking position in the absence of suchcorrespondence; gate means movable between a locking position and anactuating position, said gate means being retained in said lockingposition by any of said tumbler levers in a blocking position butmovable to said actuating position when all of said tumbler levers arein their clearing positions; an actuating member normally restrained bysaid gate means in a locking position but movable when said gate meansis in an actuating position; and means for normally restrainingadvancement of said tape but releasing said tape for an incrementaladvance upon movement of said actuating member to present a differentaperture set to said sensing means.

20. The lock of claim 19 wherein each of said manual selection meanscomprises a key stem connected to said first pivot point of a respectivetumbler lever.

21. The lock of claim 20 wherein each of said sensing means comprises: asubstantially planar member connected to said second pivot point of arespective tumbler lever; a sensing finger extending from said planarmember and adapted to enter an aperture aligned therewith; and means forresiliently urging said finger into said aperture about an axis ofrotation substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member andspaced from said finger.

22. The lock of claim 21 wherein: each set of apertures in said tapecomprises two subsets formed on spaced, parallel lines; said sensingmeans are arranged in two sets corresponding, respectively, to saidsubsets, each set being rotatable about a different axis of rotation;said key stems are arranged in two sets corresponding, respectively, tosaid sets of sensing means; said tumbler levers are arranged in twoopposed sets with the second ends of the levers of the two sets inreversed relationship; said gate means comprise first and second planargates disposed adjacent the respective second ends of said lever sets,each of said gates defining a window therein, said gates being biasedfor complementary, reversed, inward movement toward the respective leversets, said windows being aligned to receive the second ends of thosetumbler levers in a clearing position.

1. A combination lock adapted to be unlocked upon entry of the correctcombination therein which comprises: an actuating member; combinationdetermining means defining therein apertures representing elements of apreselected combination; a plurality of sensing means individuallyadvanceable against said combination determining means and positioned toenter any aperture aligned therewith; a plurality of manual selectionmeans, each corresponding to one of said sensing means and independentlymovable to represent elements of a selected combination; linkage meansintermediate each of said selection means and its corresponding sensingmeans and adapted to assume a clearing position upon correspondence ofan element of said selected combination to an element of saidpreselected combination and a blocking position in the absence of suchcorrespondence; and means for normally blocking said actuating memberbut releasing said actuating member when all of said linkage means arein their clearing positions.
 2. The lock of claim 1 wherein saidcombination determining means comprises a tape.
 3. The lock of claim 2wherein said tape defines therein a plurality of sets of apertures, eachaperture set determining a different preselected combination.
 4. Thelock of claim 3 wherein said combination determining means comprisesmeans for advancing said tape upon each actuation of said actuatingmember to present a different aperture set to said sensing means.
 5. Thelock of claim 1 wherein said combination determining means comprises: atape defining therein a plurality of sets of apertures, each determininga different preselected combination; means for tensioning said tape foradvancement relative to said sensing means; and means for normallyrestraining such advancement but releasing said tape for an incrementaladvance upon each actuation of said actuating member to present adifferent aperture set to said sensing means.
 6. The lock of claim 5wherein said tensioning means comprises: a shaft; means for driving saidshaft upon actuation of said actuating member; a roller secured to saidtape and mounted on said shaft for rotation relative thereto; andresilient means interconnecting said roller and shaft for storing aselected torque value therebetween.
 7. The lock of claim 6 wherein saidresilient means comprises a coil spring surrounding said shaft havingits first end connected to said shaft and its second end connected tosaid roller, the internal diameter of said spring in its relaxedcondition being greater than the outside diameter of said shaft.
 8. Thelock of claim 6 wherein said driving means comprises a belt and pulleydrive connected to slip when said selected torque value is stored. 9.The lock of claim 1 wherein each of said manual selection meanscomprises a key stem longitudinally movable between a first and a secondposition.
 10. The lock of claim 1 wherein each of said linkage meaNscomprises a tumbler lever having first and second ends, a first pivotpoint therebetween, and a second pivot point at said first end, one ofsaid pivot points being movable by said manual selection means and theother of said pivot points being movable by said sensing means.
 11. Thelock of claim 10 wherein each of said manual selection means comprises akey stem connected to said first pivot point of a respective tumblerlever.
 12. The lock of claim 1 wherein each of said sensing meanscomprises: a substantially planar member having thereon a sensing fingeradapted to enter an aperture aligned therewith; and means forresiliently urging said finger into said aperture about an axis ofrotation substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member andspaced from said finger.
 13. The lock of claim 12 wherein said axis ofrotation is common to a plurality of said members.
 14. The lock of claim12 wherein each of said linkage means comprises a tumbler lever havingfirst and second ends, a first pivot point therebetween, and a secondpivot point at said first end, one of said pivot points being movable bysaid manual selection means and the other of said pivot points beingmovable by said sensing means.
 15. The lock of claim 14 wherein each ofsaid manual selection means comprises a key stem connected to said firstpivot point of a respective tumbler lever.
 16. The lock of claim 10wherein said actuating member is a rotatable shaft and said blockingmeans comprises: a gate movable between a locking position and anactuating position, said gate being retained in said locking position byany of said tumbler levers in a blocking position but movable to saidactuating position when all of said tumbler levers are in their clearingposition; and a deadlock cam secured to said shaft positioned to engagesaid gate in its locking position to prevent rotation of said shaft andto pass said gate in its actuating position to permit rotation of saidshaft.
 17. The lock of claim 16 wherein each of said manual selectionmeans comprises a key stem connected to said first pivot point of arespective tumbler lever.
 18. The lock of claim 17 wherein each of saidsensing means comprises: a substantially planar member having thereon asensing finger adapted to enter an aperture aligned therewith; and meansfor resiliently urging said finger into said aperture about an axis ofrotation substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member andspaced from said finger.
 19. A combination lock adapted to be unlockedupon entry of the correct combination therein which comprises: a tapedefining therein a plurality of sets of apertures, each determining adifferent preselected combination; a plurality of sensing meansindividually advanceable against said tape and positioned to enter anyaperture aligned therewith; means for tensioning said tape foradvancement relative to said sensing means; a plurality of manualselection means, each corresponding to one of said sensing means andindependently movable to represent elements of a selected combination; aplurality of tumbler levers, each having first and second ends, a firstpivot point therebetween, and a second pivot point at said first end,one of said pivot points being movable by one of said manual selectionmeans and the other of said pivot points being movable by one of saidsensing means, each tumbler lever assuming a clearing position uponcorrespondence of an element of said selected combination to an elementof said preselected combination and a blocking position in the absenceof such correspondence; gate means movable between a locking positionand an actuating position, said gate means being retained in saidlocking position by any of said tumbler levers in a blocking positionbut movable to said actuating position when all of said tumbler leversare in their clearing positions; an actuating member normally restrainedby said gate means in a locking position but movable when said gatemeans is in an actuating position; and means for normally restrainingadvancement of said tape but releasing said tape for an incrementaladvance upon movement of said actuating member to present a differentaperture set to said sensing means.
 20. The lock of claim 19 whereineach of said manual selection means comprises a key stem connected tosaid first pivot point of a respective tumbler lever.
 21. The lock ofclaim 20 wherein each of said sensing means comprises: a substantiallyplanar member connected to said second pivot point of a respectivetumbler lever; a sensing finger extending from said planar member andadapted to enter an aperture aligned therewith; and means forresiliently urging said finger into said aperture about an axis ofrotation substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member andspaced from said finger.
 22. The lock of claim 21 wherein: each set ofapertures in said tape comprises two subsets formed on spaced, parallellines; said sensing means are arranged in two sets corresponding,respectively, to said subsets, each set being rotatable about adifferent axis of rotation; said key stems are arranged in two setscorresponding, respectively, to said sets of sensing means; said tumblerlevers are arranged in two opposed sets with the second ends of thelevers of the two sets in reversed relationship; said gate meanscomprise first and second planar gates disposed adjacent the respectivesecond ends of said lever sets, each of said gates defining a windowtherein, said gates being biased for complementary, reversed, inwardmovement toward the respective lever sets, said windows being aligned toreceive the second ends of those tumbler levers in a clearing position.